Circular knitting machine

ABSTRACT

The component parts of the knitting machine are distributed among a plurality of stacked subframes, each subframe comprising a support platform with a large circular opening and legs extending downwardly from each corner of the platform. A support ring is mounted in the circular opening of each platform and successive platforms are reduced in size from the bottom to the top, whereby the machine frame presents a stepped arrangement, in which part of the space enclosed by the lower subframes is taken up by cabinets housing diverse control and ancillary means of the machine.

United States Patent Inventor -Appl. No.

Filed Patented Assignee Priority Emilio Llovet Ricart Mataro, Spain Feb.5, 1970 July 6, I971 Telares Circulars, S. A. 1 Barcelona, Spain Feb. 6,1969 Spain CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE 4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 66/8, 66/19 Int. Cl t 1304b 9/06 Field 01 Search 66/8, 19, 149

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 221,628 1 1/1879 Stowe66/19X 3,479,841 11/1969 Kitahara et al. 66/8 X Primary Examiner-Wm.Carter Reynolds Attorney- Parrott, Bell, Seltzer, Park & GibsonABSTRACT: The component parts of the knitting machine are distributedamong a plurality of stacked subframes, each subframe comprising asupport platform with a large circular opening and legs extendingdownwardly from each corner of the platform. A support ring is mountedin the circular opening of each platform and successive platforms arereduced in size from the bottom to the top, whereby the machine framepresents a stepped arrangement, in which part of the space enclosed bythe lower subframes is taken up by cabinets housing diverse control andancillary means of the machine.

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[IM'HJO LLOVET RKQDRT ATTORNEYS CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE The presentinvention relates to an improved support frame for a circular knittingmachine which affords various advantages over the ordinary type ofmachine frame with reference to construction, operation and maintenance.

In conventional machines, the frame consists essentially of horizontalsupport rings positioned at different heights, and simultaneously actingas support and operative means. These rings are connected and supportedat spaced positions and in a manner which makes certain repair orcleaning tasks extremely complicated, requiring on each occasion thecomplicated dismantling of a large number of members. Moreover, thesupport rings must be thick and extremely strong so as to enable them toperform the above-mentioned functions at one and the same time,especially when it is borne in mind that they are supported at spacedpositions so that they require a thick section at each support point. Afurther disadvantage of these conventional support rings is the natureof the component material, in view of the fact that the ring must beable to sup port loads and withstand wear, something not easy to solvein view of the difierent nature of these requirements.

With reference to the manufacturing process, this type of conventionalframe assembly requires that the active members of the machine must beassembled and adjusted together with the passive support members, whichprevents the simultaneous performance of certain jobs and theapplication of production line assembly methods because each team ofworkmen performing an operation requires the presence of the wholemachine. Thus, the remaining teams of workmen may not perform theirtasks on the machine until the previous team has finished and, in viewof the fact that the work times for each team are different, it isdifficult to be able to work in series.

The machine frame of the present invention overcomes the above-mentioneddisadvantages and contributes further new advantages, beingcharacterized in that the diverse active and passive members aredistributed among stacked subframes defined by a plurality of supportplatforms mounted one on top of the other. Each subframe comprises aflat, horizontal platform having downwardly extending support legs ateach corner. A large circular opening is provided in each platform withan upper peripheral recess acting as a seat for a support ring. Thesubframes are connected to form successive stories of the complete frameassembly and each subframe rests on the support platform of theimmediately lower subframes. It is possible to remove and replace thesupport ring by passing it between the legs of the immediately uppersubframe and so that the aforementioned support and operative functionsare allocated separately to the respective support platforms and rings.

The relationship between adjacent subframes and the respective platformsand rings of each subframe is maintained by means of suitable fasteningmeans.

The structure of the assembled frame provides a stepped arrangement ofthe successive subframes, with reduction in width and length from thelowest to the uppermost.

Each subframe is preferably formed of cut, welded sheet metal in orderto facilitate fabrication and reduce the weight and cost.

The rings are supported continuously around the whole of theircircumference, thereby permitting a considerable reduc tion in theirthickness.

Other aims and characteristics of the invention will be explained indetail in the following description, with reference to the attachedillustrative drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a diagram of the front elevation of one-half of the assembledframe of the circular knitting machine;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional detail showing the manner in which a ring isattached to the corresponding support platform;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the knitting machine ensemble;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the same machine, looking at theright-hand side of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the top surface of the lowermost subframe ofthe machine; and,

FIG. 6 is a front elevation of the lowermost subframe of the machine.

The frame assembly of the circular knitting machine referred to hereincomprises three stories, without the number thereof being limited tothat of the present embodiment. These stories comprise respectivesubframes, such as a lower subframe ll, an intermediate subframe 2, andan upper subframe 3 (FIGS. 1, 3 and t).

The lower subframe or base 1 comprises a rectangular support platform 4(FIGS. l and 5) and downwardly extending legs 5 at right angles to theplatform 4, forming a framework including an upper crossmember 6 and alower crossmember 7. The subframe I is longer across the front and rearthan along the sides because a space is provided adjacent the righthandside leg (FIG. 6) to form a cabinet, to be presently described.

The platform 4 has a circular opening 8 (FIG. 2) with a peripheralrecess 9 on the upper face, acting as seat for the outer peripheral edgeportion of a support or operating ring 10. Between the platform 4! andthe ring 10, there may be suitable fastener means, such as a bolt itwith nuts 12 passing through holes 113.

The internal space of the subframe l is enclosed by means of doors 14and (FIG. 3) and grilles I6, fitted with closing means 17 and hinges118. Part of this space is set aside for a cabinet to contain certaincontrol or ancillary members.

The lower subframe K has its corners resting on plates 19. The ring it)supports a toothed wheel on which conventional cloth takeup motion, notshown, is mounted. The same subframe 1 contains the slow-motiontransmission-coupling means and the electrical panel installation, notshown, for general control of the machine, leaving available sufficientspace for the remaining ancillary installations. The machine drive meansis mounted on the platform 4.

The intermediate subframe 2 comprises a platform 20 and legs 2.1 withupper crossmember 22. These legs 2i rest on plates 23. The platform 20has a circular opening 24 (FIG. 1) with a peripheral recess on the upperface acting as a seat for a ring 25. On the platform 20, there areplates 26. This subframe 2 has a cabinet at one end (FIG. 3) with afront door 27 and end or side doors 23 (FKG. 4) with hing-es 29. Thering 25 supports a toothed wheel, not shown, on which a needle cylinderC is mounted, as well as the cam segments for operating the needles ofthe cylinder.

The upper subframe 3 comprises a platform 30 (FIG. 1) and legs 31, theplatform 30 forming a tray by way of sidewalls 33 and having a circularopening 34 with peripheral recess on the upper face in which there isseated a ring 36. On this subframe there is housed a dial plate 37 withcenter support tube 38 acting as hearing for the dial drive shaft andits complement which form the cam segments for operation of the needlesof the dial. At the upper end of the drive shaft, inside the tray, thegear wheel for driving the dial is supported.

All the component members of the present circular machine are mounted onand fitted to the subframe structure described and their assembly may beformed with the three subframes connected in tower form, without itbeing necessary to separate them, in view of the fact that the distancebetween the legs is sufficient to allow passage of the aforementionedcomponent members. The subframes may be equipped with intermediate legs,such as illustrated at 39 in FIG. 6, to separate the spaces set asidefor the machine members from those set aside for cabinets. The point ofconnection between the legs and crossmembers may form a reinforcementgusset, such as illustrated at M1! in FIG. n.

The principal features of the metal frame structure of the presentinvention reside in the fact that it supports with maximum soiidity allthe essential mechanisms for the operations of producing knittedmaterial and all members are fixed completely on a removable andreplaceable support ring. This is not the case in conventional machineswhich are lacking in a basic structure, since they are formed by largesupport rings resting directly on legs, said rings being fixed at threesupport points and, in some cases, at four points and their assemblymust be performed in strict order from the base through to the upperbody.

One feature of the present stacked subframe structure is the possibilityof machining the openings and recesses of the sup port platforms by thesimultaneous axial action of the tool used for this purpose, therebyfacilitating the manufacture and fabrication. Also, the structure may beeasily painted, independently of the remaining assembly, adjustment,etc. operations, all of which permits the use of production line methodswithout any of the constructional or assembly phases being dependent onany other.

I claim:

1. A frame for a circular knitting machine, said machine includingmechanisms for the production of knitted fabric, said frame comprising aplurality of subframes mounted one on top of another and definingdifferent operating levels, each subframe including a flat, horizontalsupport platform and support legs fixed thereto and extending downwardlytherefrom, each platform having a circular opening with a peripheralrecess on the upper face, and a nonrotating ring in each plat form andhaving an outer peripheral edge portion seated in and supported solelyby said peripheral recess of the circular opening of said platform, eachring providing the sole support for all mechanisms at that respectiveoperating level, the diameter of each ring being less than the distancebetween the legs of the immediately upper subframe to afford ease ofremoval of the respective ring and the associated mechanisms between thelegs of the immediately upper subframe.

2. A circular knitting machine frame according to claim 1 whereinfastening means is provided for connecting adjacent subframes andfurther fastening means is provided to connect said platform and ring ofeach subframe.

3. A circular knitting machine frame according to claim 1 in which thestructure of the assembled frame presents a stepped arrangement of thesuccessive subframcs, with reduction in the width of said subframes fromthe lowermost to the uppermost.

41. A circular knitting machine frame according to claim 1 in which thesupport of said rings is continuous around the whole of theircircumference, allowing thereby for a notable reduction in theirthickness.

1. A frame for a circular knitting machine, said machine includingmechanisms for the production of knitted fabric, said frame comprising aplurality of subframes mounted one on top of another and definingdifferent operating levels, each subframe including a flat, horizontalsupport platform and support legs fixed thereto and extending downwardlytherefrom, each platform having a circular opening with a peripheralrecess on the upper face, and a nonrotating ring in each platform andhaving an outer peripheral edge portion seated in and supported solelyby said peripheral recess of the circular opening of said platform, eachring providing the sole support for all mechanisms at that respectiveoperating level, the diameter of each ring being less than the distancebetween the legs of the immediately upper subframe to afford ease ofremoval of the respective ring and the associated mechanisms between thelegs of the immediately upper subframe.
 2. A circular knitting machineframe according to claim 1 wherein fastening means is provided forconnecting adjacent subframes and further fastening means is provided toconnect said platform and ring of each subframe.
 3. A circular knittingmachine frame according to claim 1 in which the structure of theassembled frame presents a stepped arrangement of the successivesubframes, with reduction in the width of said subframes from thelowermost to the uppermost.
 4. A circular knitting machine frameaccording to claim 1 in which the support of said rings is continuousaround the whole of their circumference, allowing thereby for a notablereduction in their thickness.